It’s a matter of perspective

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how my mindset impacts the outcome (or my perception of the outcome) of the exact same situation. I should credit this food for thought to the Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff book by Richard Carlson, which I’m currently reading.

After a day full of delicious and pretty healthy meals, I found myself snacking on some fresh bread with sundried tomato pesto, which went undocumented. And then of course there were too many almonds. I didn’t feel great afterwards physically but this is where my mindset about this situation could make or break my night, or even the next day. I had 2 choices: understand that some days we are just hungrier than others and also that I have a weakness for roasted almonds which can only be controlled by portioning them out before hand. This is the reasonable approach and if taken, could let me move on with my life… like a normal person. My other choice was to view this as a failed attempt at eating reasonably and mindfully. I am no longer counting calories so listening to my hunger cues is key to maintaining my weight. The problem with the second approach is that of course it’s negative and not constructive. This kind of mindset would only bring me down and make me question other things in my life because that’s exactly what happens when I’m in “that” kind of mood. How many of you believe that the first approach is the right one? How many of you can’t help but take on the second one? The same situation can take on a really different life, depending on your perspective. I’m happy to report that I let this little incident slide. I just brushed it off and ate like I would (read: healthy + yummy eats) the next day (see below). Your perspective can make a big difference. I am questioning my own ways of viewing things and mindfully trying to take the right approach. As a result, I’ve been much happier lately. I think the sunshine may have helped a little too.

I love the crunchy cereal in every few “bites.” This was a delicious combo

MID-AFTERNOON/PRE-WORKOUT SNACK

I actually ate only 1/2 of this banana. This is definitely one of my favorite snacks, although a big messy.

WORKOUT

We have summer weather here in Boston (like 80*!!) and I’ve been taking full advantage of it by incorporating more outdoor runs. Yesterday I ran for 5.25 miles (taking a short walk in the mega sun at some point for maybe 2 minutes). Warm up + cool down walks also amounted to about a mile. I was a giant sweaty mess at the end. It was a tough run. I’m trying to work up to 6+ miles over this week and maybe even attempt some double digits soon. Man, taking time off from running is really making it difficult for me to come back. I’m determined though.

Fantastic sandwich! I just love eating fresh foods like that. It makes me feel so good, knowing how well I’m feeding my body. And seriously, just the thought of this sandwich makes me a little more excited. It was the perfect lunch!

MID-AFTERNOON SNACK

I shared another one of these little packets with Adam at night.

DINNER

Yes, go ahead, start drooling now.

Manchego-stuffed pork chops with roasted red-pepper pepita sauce (recipe can be found here).

+ fiddleheads! I steamed these guys for 7 minutes then quickly sauteed them with garlic and 1tsp of EVOO on a hot skillet. They were so yummy – reminded me of a cross between sauteed spinach and snap peas with a texture of tender asparagus. Yummy.

The manchego stuffed pork chops were of course the stars, though. This recipe was so simple and produced such flavorful results. I forgot how much I love manchego cheese (I nibbled on a little square while prepping this meal). The roasted red pepper-pepita sauce also freshens up the indulgent, cheesy pork chop.

I think it’s going on my favorites list! [PS. I only ate 1/2 of what you see here. 1/2 of a pork chop just doesn't photograph well so I took a picture of the whole thing and saved what I left on the plate for lunch the next day.]

I definitely think the first perspective is the right one, and yet I often fall victim to the second perspective. My biggest problem is that when I overeat a little bit, I tend to feel guilty and obsess over it so much that it leads to MORE overeating. Completely counter-productive! When I do manage to just let it go and go with the flow – and accept that as a normal person there will be days when I overeat a little bit, and it’s not the end of the world – then I’m more likely to get right back to my healthy habits, just like you did in this situation!

Innz – yeah, just separating them into little baggies helps but I was out for a while and finally bought a bag so I think I went slightly overboard. Nothing too major but definitely more than I *should* have had.

Beth – the silken tofu blends right in and adds a little more protein to breakfast. I like to use it or almond butter for some staying power.

I should get that book–I’ve heard a lot of about it. Hey, so when I try to click on the RSS feed subscribe button at the top right, I get a weird page with a bunch of computer writing. I’d love to subscribe to your site but can’t
I’ll keep clicking back through Google though

Yum. Those pork chops look gorgeous. I have a few in the freezer and this may be just the thing. I would say that I used ot fall much more into the second camp, but I’ve come over to the first. It is SO relaxing to be here. I’m definitely not at my skinniest, but I still look great in my clothes. I think part of it was a realization that maybe I didn’t have to be the skinnest and just being relatively thin and fit could be okay.

great question! wow.. i think i usually try to stick with my first instinct.. but yes if i think about it too long or sit on the thought.. i end up going for the second..which usually is the wrong choice.

im absolutely loving that sandwich and the cookie. are u kidding! ur amazingggg

Oh boy, do I know exactly the struggle you just described! SOME days I can shrug off those extra nibbles as added hunger and other days I just can’t shake it. I’ve been having less of those “can’t shake it off” moments lately but still, the negative thoughts are usually not that far off in my brain, sadly. It’s so frustrating – logic should prevail but irrationality usually wins. Why are we women so complicated??

That pork looks amazing! I’m not sure I could eat fiddleheads… they remind me of curled up snakes. Yes, I have a paralyzing snake phobia. But, they sound good and interesting – never hear of them before!

Thanks for your concern about the RSS button. So, I clicked it on my home computer (not my work computer) and it automatically subscribed me to MSN reader and didn’t give me the option of choosing Google reader. So then I just searched for you within Google reader and found you that way. Long story short, I’m subscribed! Thanks!